The Unusual Janet Ann Collins

Today my VBT- Writers on the Move guest is Janet Ann Collins, an unusual woman who has been a newspaper reporter, columnist, teacher, foster mother and biological mother, and now a grandmother.

I had my approach to this post all planned, but then I reread other posts written by other bloggers, I realized my ideas were not unique or different. Others used those ideas I thought were mine. After all, Janet has been a popular VBT member, I believe one of the first members.

Everything I've read about her impresses me, from raising special-needs foster children to writing two books for youngsters.

Therefore, I visited Janet's website Janet Ann Collins Opening Eyes, Opening Hearts to see what I could discover new about her. The following are her words from her website:

Do you love kids? Or are you a kid? If so, you've come to the right place. You can find out about the published writing, speaking, and teaching I do by clicking on the other links.

You can see more about children and read some book reviews at my blog, http://onwordsblog.blogspot.com

Besides being a writer, speaker, and teacher I've been a parent, foster parent of kids with special needs, and I'm now a grandparent.

If you're interested in special needs please look at my other blog, http://janetanncollins.blogspot.com

Besides being an author my claims to fame are:
* Although I don't know how to dance, I once performed with the Joffrey Ballet at the San Francisco Opera House.
* As a student working in a library I got so good at mending books they let me mend a Gutenberg Bible.
* I once had a conversation with Koko the gorilla who knows American Sign Language.

Janet is available to speak for groups, churches, and conferences, as well as lead workshops and teach classes on American Sign Language, helping people with invisible disabilities, getting children ready to read, and other subjects which can be found on her website.

Other members of VBT have discussed her books, which have excellent reviews and can be found on Amazon, but I wanted to focus more on Janet Ann Collins, the person.

Now tell me, how could anyone find this woman not unusual?

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Are Writing Contests Worth the Effort? by Nancy Famolari

Today, Nancy Famolari is my VBT guest on Brain Cells & Bubble Wrap as I finish attending the OWFI writing conference. Nancy is the author of Summer's Story - available from Amazon and, coming soon, Murder in Montville. She was kind enough to provide the following article for this post:

Are Writing Contests Worth the Effort?

I don't usually enter writing contests, particularly the ones you have to pay for. There's enough rejection in this business without having to pay for it. I was once told by a judge for the Writer's Digest contest that it was a good idea to enter. There were so many dreadful entries if you had a half reasonable piece, you stood a good chance of getting at least an honorable mention. But it is worth it to get an honorable mention?

Getting a prize, no matter how small, gives you a lift. It makes you feel that you can write. But what have you gained besides the good feeling? There are many, many reasons why you won't be a finalist: the judge doesn't like your style; your selection doesn't meet the criteria they're looking for; and, of course, it's just poorly done. How do you know where you fall in this continuum?

Unless I get something more than a pat on the back, I don't think it's worthwhile to enter a contest. A prize doesn't do it for me. I want to know why I wasn't chosen, or what the judges liked, or didn't, about my work. Judges are usually chosen because they have credentials in the industry: published authors, agents, and publishers. If they like your work and the feedback is positive, you know you're on the right track even if you didn't win. If they don't, you have work to do.

How do you deal with negative feedback is key. I recently read a chat session where people were complaining about the feedback they received in the Amazon Breakout Novel Contest. Negative feedback, while not pleasant, can tell you what other people think of the story line, characters, and style. It should be taken very seriously. You may not agree and certainly judges can be wrong. The judge may be the wrong person to appreciate your work, but at least you have some idea of why your story, or novel didn't fly. Sometimes we get too comfortable with our critique groups and beta readers. Getting outside feedback from a few strangers can be valuable.

If you may get positive feedback and don't win, what does that mean? We live in a culture that respects winning, and you didn't measure up, but think about it. Someone likes your work. They may not like it as much as some other piece, but if someone in the industry likes it, you do have a market. Perhaps not this publisher or editor, but another one will see the potential in what you've written. Positive feedback should have you charging ahead feeling great even if you aren't the winner.

So, I'll spend the time to enter a contest, but only if I get something for it, and for me, the feedback is more important than winning.

Thank you, Nancy, for sharing this post with us. Last night I received the results of the entries I had in the OWFI competition. The lack of any type of feedback on two entries and the loss of another were disappointing. However, I'll search through the other entries to find helpful comments. Usually I do learn from the feedback on my entries, even if I don't place (I didn't get even a honorable mention this year *sigh*).

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Guest blogger Debra Eckerling - VBT

Debra Eckerling is my guest from VBT - Writers on the Move. She was kind enough to write a post about blogging to use today.

Debra is a professional writer with expertise in feature articles corporate communications, and writers' workshops. Debra is the founder and leader of Write On!, a live - and online -writers support group, which focuses on goal-setting, productivity, and networking. Write On! Online has author Questions and Answers twice a week, expert columns, and writing contests, as well as a monthly drawing for posting goals. There’s also a Facebook Page for networking, and sharing news, links, and information.

For more information, go to www.writeononline.com or www.writeoncorporate.com, or e-mail debra@writeononline.com.

Ready, Set, Blog
By Debra Eckerling

The hardest part of blogging is getting started! Many see blogging as time-consuming, and spend more time procrastinating than they would have spent blogging. If you are prepared – if you have a vision, a mission, and do your homework beforehand. – blogging will be a cinch.

1. Name your blog. Is it a personal blog? A blog to promote your writing? Your business? Brainstorm at least 10 names, preferably 15 to 20. Pick a name that you will be happy with as well as a tag-line/mission statement! Choose your favorite headshot—it’s very important for readers to see your face—and a logo and/or book cover if you have one. (Don’t have a logo? Find some clip art to use until you can have a more professional version designed for you.) You want text and graphics that people will identify with you. “Branding” is key.

2. Determine content. What are you going to blog about? What types of articles? Are you going to write essays and interviews? Or use your blog for news and showcasing your products and services? There are no wrong answers. Just get a sense of what you want your blog/website to be.

3. Decide on a production schedule. How long will your blog posts be? Posts that are 300 to 500 words are certainly acceptable, and anything over 1,000 words should be broken up with bullets and bold text. How often will you blog? Start with once or twice a week. A big part of the blogging-overwhelm is that people think they should blog every day. Ideally, yes. Or mostly. But eventually. Daily blogging is something you can build up to if you’d like, but consistent blogging – a new post every Tuesday and Thursday – is even more important.

Now that you’ve figured out the what of your blog, go to WordPress.com, Blogger.com, or TypePad.com, and sign up. Whichever site you choose will walk you through the set-up process.

Remember, you can always add content to your site, change the layout, upgrade to a custom theme, add new pages, get a customized url. These are enhancements. The most important part of starting a blog is to actually start.

Thank you, Debra. One point you make is to be consistent with blogging, which is my problem. I try to post at least once a week, but I don't often post the same day of the week. I will try to be more consistent.

If you enjoyed this post, please tweet or retweet, spread the word. Thanks.

Tomorrow's VBT host and guest: Nancy Famolari is featuring Dana Donovan. Please visit.

Join our April 2010 Author Tour. New and Famous writers and great content!
http://tinyurl. com/y8apyqk

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Words from Margaret Fieland

I wrote Margaret Fieland for information I could use about her today as my VBT - Writers on the Move Guest. Peggy did more than give me "some" information; she gave me exactly what I could post. Thank you, Peggy, for sharing.

Words from Margaret Fieland

I started writing poetry to express teenage angst, and continued for much the same reason. Then I started writing more because it turned my partner on. Then I started writing yet more because it was something special to do for holidays and family birthdays. Then I submitted a poem of mine to a poetry contest on a whim, -- it was over Christmas holidays and all the kids were out, giving me free access to the computer {grin} -- and it was one of four finalist.

So then I felt encouraged and started working on my poetry and submitting it for publication. I joined online groups, got books on writing poetry and worked through them, started reading more poetry, etc. It snowballed. Writing poetry is tons of fun.

I just plain enjoy writing poetry. Occasionally I am touched by the muse. Then, too, it's a nice, portable occupation, and it's nothing like my day job (computer software engineer), so it's a welcome relief to struggle with a poem or a story instead of why a particular section of code is or isn't working.

I also write to get stuff out of my head, where it would otherwise be stuck.

I started writing stories after the first Muse On Writing conference, where I hooked up with Linda Barnett Johnson. Before that, I would have sworn that I would never, ever, write fiction. I only started because in order to join Linda's poetry forum, you had to join the fiction forum, too. I started out writing children's stories because they seemed less intimidating -- plus I've always loved kids books and read tons of them as a kid as well as an adult. I always read lots of books to my kids -- I love to read, really enjoy reading aloud.

My all-time favorite books are Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass." I used to reread them every exam time in college, as I would forgo trips to the library in order to spend more time studying. Then I'd suffer from major book deprivation and re-read "Alice." I also taught myself to wiggle my ears. I eventually taught my middle son when he was ten or so, and he demonstrated it at school. His teachers were less than thrilled {grin}.

Oh, yes, and I can also mirror-write, something else I taught myself during college exam studying. It used to impress the kids when we were waiting to be seated in restaurants when they were little.

I write both rhymed poetry and free verse. I'm 63, and my day job is a computer software engineer. The company I work for was bought by IBM a couple of months ago. I have three sons. The youngest graduated collegelast May, the next one is in the army (Lieutenant), and the oldest is computer software engineer, married and living with his wife in Bratislava. He works for IBM, the Lotus notes group (based in the states, in Cambridge), remotely. He did live over here (near me) until his wife's mother got sick and they moved back there. He works remotely -- modern technology is wonderful -- plus he's been answering a good many of my IBM questions (like "What are the holidays for Massachusetts?" and "How do I get Lotus Notes to send my email out right away?"

The middle one is the only one who has any writing talent or musical ability. I live with my partner, who has a son (in college, living at home ATM) and a daughter. We have lots of dogs. Seriously, like seven, plus the three puppies belonging to one of them (but two are sold ), so if the third puppy is show quality, we'll soon have eight dogs.

Yikes!

I have a collection of poems about mathematics that I'm trying to get published (haven't submitted it to 4rv). They're targeted to ages 12 and up, pretty much. Some of them have been published -- not too many -- I haven't wanted to submit them, but a couple of places were too good a fit to pass up. I started writing them after I wrote 'Round' and Barbara Ehrentreu read it and managed to convince me it was a math poem -- and here I thought it was just something funny about Santa and sphere -- She encouraged me to write more math poems, an idea I initially resisted, but after a while really got into.

A group of us -- we met at the muse conference (year before last) and started "meeting" online to chat , exchange poems, etc -- are putting together a collection of our work. We're in the final stages of organizing the poems.

I play the flute and the piccolo. I belonged to a band up until about a year or so ago, when the evening rehearsals got to be a bit too much for me.

I'm a native New Yorker, born and raised in Manhattan. My sister still lives there. I've been living in the Boston area since just after the blizzard of 1978. I speak fluent French -- can read it fine also, but am rather diffident about writing it, as I hate making grammatical errors .. when I do write it, it's comparatively slowly. Both my parents spoke French -- to each other, when they wanted to say something they didn't want my sister and me to understand. Then my father went and insisted I take French in school (I started in 7th grade, continued all through college..) -- I had been planning to study Spanish. Dad spoke French well, Mom not so much. Dad was also a real grammar queen -- he got absolutely apoplectic about pronoun agreement. Whenever we'd make any kind of grammatical error, he'd repeat the rule and correct us. {shakes head}. At the time I thought it was extremely tedious. Now I'm really, really grateful. I can still repeat the whole pronoun thing in both English and French. I learned and remember English grammar because Dad pounded it into my head. We did study grammar in school (not like now, where I'm convinced it isn't taught ..) but that's not where I remember it from.

My father was an attorney and my mother an artist -- portraits -- never showed much, gave most of her stuff away, was a SAH mom. My father was in sole practice for many years. He appeared twice before the supreme court. He knew Abe Fortas from law school and introduced me to him when I was in my teens, I think.

I like to ski, but haven't been this year yet, partly because I broke my wrist just before Thanksgiving, and partly, well, for no particularly good reason.

I'm working on another book, this one written in the first person about a girl who wants to go to music camp and whose parents are getting a divorce. It's going to be a MG -- the main character is 12, in 7th grade. A friend of mine who is a middle school music director has given me lots of good info around this, plus she's generously offered to read the MS when I get done with the current draft.

I'm toying with the idea of writing a non-fiction book on the history of mathematics for children. Well, actually, I'm trying to slap the idea down whenever it nags me, as it would involve a fair amount of research, but it refuses to go away. I have a BA with a major in mathematics and a MS in computer science, so I do actually have the background to write this. It started to nag me when I was writing the math poems series -- looked for books like it .. found one picture book on the story of counting.

Many years ago now, friends (daughter of my ex-husband's mother's best friend and next door neighbor) died in a tragic fire that also took the lives of all four of her children. Only her husband survived. In my story The Angry Littte Boy, (to be published by 4RV Publishing) there's only one child, and only the mother dies. There's also a dog in the book, belongs to the main character. The dog is named after a friend who died suddenly eight or so years back.


http://www.margaretfieland.com/

website and blog ..

blog specific
http://www.margaretfieland.com/blog1/

Thank you, Peggy. I'm always glad to know more about people, and especially 4RV authors.



Tomorrow, Nancy Famolari is hosting Heidi Thomas.

Books, Authors and Info! Join us for our March Tour:
http://tinyurl.com/ykjvonn


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VBT - Writers on the Move March Schedule

The March VBT - Writers on the Move schedule is ready. Please visit each day possible and leave a message. Just click on the host's name to go to his or her blog.

What makes the VBT - Writers on the Move's tour so special is that members offer writing and marketing advice, tips, and information. They cover genres including children's lit, poetry, romance, suspense, and nonfiction. Come join the fun and experiences.

1st Dianne Sagan is hosting Janet Ann Collins
2nd Karen Cioffi is hosting Gary Eby
3rd Kathy Stemke is hosting Debra Eckerling
4th Lea Schizas is hosting Dana Donovan
5th Vivian Zabel is hosting Margaret Fieland
6th Nancy Famolari is hosting Heidi Thomas
7th Margaret Fieland is hosting Helena Harper
8th Elysabeth Eldering is hosting Heather Paye
9th Helena Harper is hosting Kathy Stemke
10th Carolyn Howard-Johnson is hosting Vivian Zabel
11th Gayle Trent is hosting Maggie Ball
12th Mayra Calvani is hosting Darcia Helle
13th Marvin Wilson is hosting Dianne Sagan
14th Stephen Tremp is hosting Elysabeth Eldering
15th Darcia Helle is hosting Gayle Trent
16th Martha Swirzinski is hosting Mayra Calvani
17th Heidi Thomas is hosting Dallas Woodburn
18th Dana Donovan is hosting Katie Hines
19th Dallas Woodburn is hosting Kevin McNamee
20th Debra Eckerling is hosting Martha Swirzinski
21st Heather Paye is hosting Lea Schizas
22nd Maggie Ball is hosting Marvin Wilson
23rd Kevin McNamee is hosting Nancy Famolari
24th Janet Ann Collins is hosting Stephen Tremp
25th Gary Eby is hosting Karen Cioffi
26th Katie Hines is hosting Carolyn Howard-Johnson


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My super talented, busy guest - Lea Schizas

Excuse me, did I understand you? You don't know who Lea Schizas is? Have you ever heard of The Muse Online Writers' Conference? You're joking. What about The Writing Jungle? You poor thing. You are so fortunate that she is my guest today as part of the VBT - Writers on the Move.

Lea Schizas is the force behind The Muse Online Writers' Conference, the first ever conference held on the Internet, and it's free. She has experts, publishers, editors, and agents who hold classes on forums or during live chats, sometimes both. Publishers, editors, and agents take part, many accept pitches from writers. If you haven't heard about the conference, or have heard but not registered, please go to the website and register for the 2010 conference, a very easy procedure.

Lea also promotes help and education concerning Autism.

She doesn't keep busy enough with her five children and husband and the conference, etc., so she edits, reviews books (on The Muse Book Reviews), and writes.

I don't remember how we met, maybe through the Muse Online Conference four or five years ago, but I really got to know this remarkable woman after she submitted her middle grade manuscript to 4RV Publishing. Bubba & Giganto: Odds Against Us was released in July 2008.

I greatly admire Lea Schizas. I don't know how she accomplishes all she does. I hope visitors will leave comments about what they know about her and how they fell about this extremely remarkable woman I call friend.

So please share with us about Lea, give her memories that she can treasure.


P.S. Tour with VBT-Writers on the Move through February. New and famous authors, plus useful information. http://tinyurl.com/yhkt7v8



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Liana Metal - VBT visit

Each month, members of VBT - Writers on the Move posts about another writer in the group. This month, I'm a day late due to those pesky life problems, but my visitor is Liana Metal.

Liana lives in Greece, on the small island of Corfu. She's an artist, teacher (MA Applied Linguistics) and freelance journalist, writing articles about travel, lifestyle, and food.

Her books focus on nature and on children's problems, such as low self-esteem and friendship issues.

The book I want to discuss is The White Snail, a bilingual book for youngsters, also illustrated by her.

The book is paperback and 34 pages. It can be found on Lulu, or through her website: Liana Metal.

The White Snail
Written and illustrated by Iliana Metallinou aka Liana Metal.

The White Snail includes an exciting story and educational material appropriate for young readers. It is the first of a series of books that aims to encourage children to read stories, while at the same time learn about nature. At the end of each book there are educational activities.

The White Snail’s basic theme is self-esteem that develops from early childhood. The hero of this story believes that he is not equal to the other snails just because he is different. This story is about the differences among people or peoples generally. It caters not only to young kids but also to adults, parents and teachers.

This series also aims to highlight some of the small miracles of nature that we usually take for granted. The White Snail encourages the reader to notice snails closely and learn some facts about them via the educational activity at the end of the book.

BILINGUAL ΤΕΧΤ: GREEK/ENGLISH:
This book can be read both in Greek and English. Thus, it caters to Foreign Language education as well as to readers all over the world.

Liana seems such an interesting person and writer. I hope people will visit her website and discover more about her and her books.


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VBT - Writers on the Move January Blog Tour

The tour schedule for January 2010:

January 2nd Dianne Sagan is hosting Kevin McNamee
January 3rd Harry Gilleland is hosting Maggie Ball
January 4th Karen Cioffi is hosting Lea Schizas
January 5th Kathy Stemke is hosting Heidi Thomas
January 6th Lea Schizas is hosting Martha Swirzinski
January 7th Vivian Zabel is hosting Liana Metal
January 8th Vivian Zabel is hosting Liana Metal
January 8th Nancy Famolari is hosting Margaret Fieland
January 9th Elysabeth Eldering is hosting Mayra Calvani
January 10th Katie Hines is hosting Elysabeth Eldering
January 11th Helena Harper is hosting Dana Donovan
January 12th Liana Metal is hosting Debra Eckerling
January 13th Carolyn Howard-Johnson is hosting Dianne Sagan
January 14th Gayle Trent is hosting Helena Harper
January 15th Mayra Calvani is hosting Stephen Tremp
January 16th Marvin Wilson is hosting Linda Asato
January 17th Linda Asato is hosting Kathy Stemke
January 18th Stephen Tremp is hosting Katie Hines
January 19th Margaret Fieland is hosting Karen Cioffi
January 20th Darcia Helle is hosting Harry Gilleland
January 21st Martha Swirzinski is hosting Jane Sutton
January 22nd Heidi Thomas is hosting Darcia Helle
January 23rd Jane Sutton is hosting Nancy Famolari
January 24th Dana Donovan is hosting Linda Suzane
January 25th Dallas Woodburn is hosting Marvin Wilson
January 26th Linda Suzane is hosting Dallas Woodburn
January 27th Debra Eckerling is hosting Vivian Zabel
January 28th Heather Paye is hosting Gayle Trent
January 29th Maggie Ball is hosting Carolyn Howard-Johnson
January 30th Kevin McNamee is hosting Heather Paye

Be sure and join us on each day we host an author on our blogs.

A children's story from Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Today finishes this month's rotation for VBT - Writers on the Move. Carolyn Howard-Johnson has been my guest for October 1 and today.

We are used to reading and hearing about Carolyn's How To Do It Frugally books for writers. Most of us don’t know she also writes children’s stories and poetry.

Carolyn has been working on stories she's collected on her travels from around the world for several years with no end in sight. Generally, like this one, they are told using the traditional style for legends and fairytales. Learn more about her travels at Red Engine Press and more about her fiction and poetry at Published Works Almanac.

Below is one of her stories.


The Legend of Laguna del Incas

A long time ago in the land of the Inca—long before this faraway place had names like Chile and Peru—there lived a young couple in love.

Most Incas felt close to their gods and these two young people were no exception. Febo, the god who warmed them with warm rays and made the crops grow, was part of their everyday lives. So was Eolo who blew clouds into puffy shapes like giant umbrellas. Old men and women who lived in the villages reminisced about Eolo and Febo as they blew their smoke from pipes into rings. They still do, still think of the young people as smoke curls up into the thin mountain air.

Illi Yupanqui and the Princess Kora-Ilé were to marry and, because the Incas considered themselves children of the sun, they chose Aconagua, the highest peak in the Andes, for their wedding. There they could be as close as possible to Febo's warmth and Eolo's magic. Aconagua was not only the highest mountain in all of the Andes, it was the highest in all of their world. It was so high, so very, very high that the peaks were carved into giant black teeth, pure and barren, by glaciers and by Eolo's icy gusts.

Kora-Ilé's eyes were so blue-green they looked as if the gods had mixed lapis lazuli found in the veins of mountain rocks with silver waters of the lagoon at the foot of the Aconagua. For her wedding, she chose white linen, much as brides do today. It was often cold on the mountain even in summer, and the sun god Febo made her dress look as pure as glacier ice against the dark peaks that surrounded them. The princess walked regally followed by her séquito down the steep dark precipice where all could see her, much as modern brides make their entrance down a curving staircase.

The cliffs were smooth and slippery from the morning dew. She chose her way carefully. Trying to glimpse her Illi, she looked away from the path. Her soft slipper caught on a piece of smooth black basalt and she fell to her death.

Illi Yupanqui could not bear to have her removed from the place where they had experienced the bliss of true love. He wrapped her in his arms and carried her to the edge of the silver lagoon at the foot of the peaks. There he kissed her lips, immersed her into the pure, clear water and watched her sink. The lake was so clear he could see her as she descended deeper and deeper. He didn't think he could leave the lake as long as he could see her hair flowing in the water, her dress shining up at him like a white pebble from the bottom of the clear lake.

The gods knew Illi's thoughts. As Illi watched, Eolo moved the surface of the water. Tiny ripples obscured the young bridegroom's view of Koru-Ilé. Then Febo moved across the sky so shadows from the peaks darkened the water. Soon the water turned from crystalline to turquoise. Eolo's breath no longer pushed it into tiny waves. It became a smooth cabochon, rounded and opaque like a semi-precious stone set in black metal, just as the Laguna del Inca mountain, looks today.

Illi Yupanqui knew it was a sign that all would be well. When the moon is full, high up in those mountains where the country of Chile meets the border of Argentina, the village people who trek to the summit can hear the princess's voice blend with Eolo's call. Eolo, for his part, has never disturbed the surface of the lagoon from that day to this, though some say it is only because the peaks that surround it protect it from his sighs.

Descendants of the Incas are reminded of this love story by the blend of Eolo's quiet moans and Kora-Ilé's high, young cry that can be heard in the thin mountain air, and, of course, by the tales that are told today of a love still pure in this place so close to the home of their gods.
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson is collecting stories from around the world for a book that will include little known legends from places she has visited. A work in progress, it includes myths and legends and stories of monsters and princesses. She is the author of THIS IS THE PLACE and HARKENING, and TRACINGS, a chapbook of poetry. All are award winning books. She also writes books that will help other authors. They are the multi award-winning How To Do It Frugally books for writers.


Thank you so much for sharing this story with us, Carolyn. It’s very interesting and definitely shows your versatility.



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An interview with Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Ms. Fugal herself

Every month members of VBT - Writers on the Move host another member on the first and third of the month. This month I'm privileged to host Carolyn Howard-Johnson, promoted and author of the Fugal books.

I promised Carolyn not to have the cookie-cutter type interview. Therefore, I invited her over to my house, handed her a shovel to make her way through the clutter, and offered her a cup of Constant Comment tea mixed with green.

After she and I were cozy with mugs of tea and some tasty sugar-free zuchinni bread, I started the questions.

How did/does your history and home background affect your writing, especially since you write nonfiction help books?
 
Answer: I also write fiction and poetry, Viv. And my history and background (and that of my ancestors) is extremely important in most of that work.

But it is for my how-to books, too. That I started in journalism at the Salt Lake Tribune when I was only 18 and worked as an editorial assistant for Good Housekeeping and as a fashion publicist all contributed to my marketing skills. Then I owned retail stores for 30 years. Operating stores successfully is probably 80% pure marketing. In fact, my latest book is for retailers, A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. It's available at www.budurl.com/RetailersGuide and even includes information on how to incorporate the use of authors into profit-making events. In fact, some authors have said it helped them understand retailing better--all the better to sell an author event to their local bookstores and other retailers.
 
 
Wow, I didn't know how versatile a writter you are. (After a sip of the tea, I asked the next questions on my mind.)

Tell us something about your educational background that has made you a better, or more caring, writer.
 
Answer: I was an English Lit major so that pretty much answers that question. But my education has continued as I teach writers for UCLA's Writers' Program. I've been doing it for about five years now and I constantly am learning more things from writers about what writers need to know. So that helps answer your question about my how-to books, too. (-;
 
I knew you and I agreed on many things concerning writing, and no wonder. I'm a retired English and composition teacher myself.

Please fill us in on your hobbies, interests, or activities you participate in during your leisure time. *laugh* If you have any – besides attending book festivals and other public appearance.
 
Carolyn took a bite of zuchinni bread before she nodded to let me know she would be with us again in a second.

Answer: Travel is probably my major interest outside of writing, and it's really integrally involved with writing, too. I find travel contributes to writing in so many ways. It keeps a writers' interests broad. Reading does the same thing.  I've been to so many countries I've lost count but I've studied writing at Herzen University in St. Petersburg, Russia; Cambridge University in the UK; and Charles University in Prague, the Czech Republic. Did you know Charles University is the oldest university in Europe--by their reckoning, any way.
 
What keeps you writing? 
                    
Answer:  I just can't help myself. (-:
 
That's an answer I can understand only too well.

You have so many projects going all the time: working on books, traveling, etc.; how do you manage?

Answer:  That's impossible to answer. I guess just keep putting one foot ahead of the other and going.
 
How do you feel when you complete a book? Which book has been your favorite?

Answer: My favorite book was my first, a novel. It is really the story of my life, fictionalized. And it deals with the most important themes that run through all my serious work. It is This Is the Place and is a story of a young journalistic coming of age at a time when women were repressed. She lives not only in a repressive time, but also a repressive place and must find her way by examining the lives of women who came before her.
 
You are definitely one interesting woman.

What are your writing achievements and goals?

Answer: I am on the final draft of Here's How I Don’t Cook, a memoir, and I'm looking for an agent for it.
 
Another thing we have in common, not cooking or very little. Who has time?

How do any writing groups benefit you and your writing? Also, we might tie some information about your presentations with this.

Answer: I love my critique groups, the ones I use to better my own writing. I also love the seminars and workshops I conduct to help better the writers of others. Of course, I get tons out of both of them. One of those you know about is the free Muse Online Writers Conference I cosponsor with Lea Schizas. It happens every October and attracts--literally--thousands.
 
Ah, yes, I'm involved in the Muse Online Writers Conference, but not nearly to the stage you are.

Does writing help better you as a person? How?
 
Answer: This is such a good questions. If writing doesn't help a writer get better as a person, then that writer probably isn't being as truthful with him or herself as she should be. I do know that many writers fear stripping themselves bare but--really--they are limiting themselves if they let their fears limit them from learning more about themselves.

Thank you, Carolyn, for joining me today. You always have such insightful comments.

Please let readers know how they can purchase your books.
 
Carolyn: My books are all at Amazon, and Amazon makes it easy and inexpensive to buy them. My Amazon profile is at www.budurl.com/CarolynsAmazProfile. From there each book is but a click away. Also, my how-to books are all available for the Kindle reader.

Any other comments?

Carolyn: Only many thanks for a caring interview. Oh, and a reminder via my motto: "“Careers that are not fed soon die as readily as any living organism given no sustenance.”

P.S.Oh! And come back to Viv's Bubbles blog to read a legend I found in Chile retold for children.

Thank you again, Carolyn. I so enjoyed the visit, and hope you liked the tea and zuchinni bread.


Now about VBT:

VBT Writers on the Move begins a new feature to the VBT: Writers on the Move Mystery Site Give-away. Each month, the winner will have the choice of receiving the Mystery Site Host's book or a guest spot on VBT - Writers on the Move web site. If you're an author and looking for visibility, this is a wonderful opportunity. But, it's going to be a tough choice; our members have great books to offer.

REMEMBER, you can't win if you don't play the game, so please stop by our members' sites during the tour and leave a comment.

4RV Publishing authors Linda Asato, Katie Hines, Elysabeth Eldering, Crysatlee Calderwood, and Vivian Zabel participate.

If you're interested in finding out more about our promotional group, you can send an email to: karenrcfv@yahoo.com.
Please put VBT-VBT in the subject line.



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VBT October schedule

VBT Writers on the Move begins a new feature to the VBT: Writers on the Move Mystery Site Give-away. Each month, the winner will have the choice of receiving the Mystery Site Host's book or a guest spot on VBT Writers on the Move web site. If you're an author and looking for visibility, this is a wonderful opportunity. But, it's going to be a tough choice; our members have great books to offer.

REMEMBER, you can't win if you don't play the game, so please stop by our members' sites during the tour and leave a comment.

4RV Publishing authors Linda Asato, Katie Hines, Elysabeth Eldering, Crysatlee Calderwood, and Vivian Zabel participate.

If you're interested in finding out more about our promotional group, you can send an email to: karenrcfv@yahoo.com.
Please put VBT-VBT in the subject line.


Dianne Sagan hosts Harry Gilleland
Harry Gilleland hosts Marvin Wilson
Karen Cioffi hosts Kathy Stemke
Kathy Stemke hosts Jane Sutton
Nancy Famolari hosts Steve Tremp
Vivian Zabel hosts Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Margaret Fieland hosts Nancy Famolari
Crystalee Calderwood hosts Elysabeth Eldering
Katie Hines hosts Linda Asato
Helena Harper hosts Katie Hines
Liana Metal hosts Margaret Fieland
Carolyn Howard-Johnson hosts Mayra Calvani
Gayle Trent hosts Crystalee Calderwood
Mayra Calvani hosts Dianne Sagan
Marvin Wilson hosts Helena Harper
Linda Asato hosts Gayle Trent
Heather Paye hostsVivian Zabel
Steve Tremp hosts Heather Paye
Elysabeth Eldering hosts Liana Metal
Jane Sutton hosts Karen Cioffi
Jack E. Geroge hosts Darcia Helle
Darcia Helle hosts Jack George

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Author of Moving Through All Seven Days, Kathy Stemke shares some her knowledge with us today.

15 Key to Unlocking the World of Reading to Children
by Kathy Stemke

There's nothing quite like seeing a child's eyes light up with joy because he has finally read his first word. Having fun with language is the key you need to unlock the world of reading to your child. The following tips and activities will be the keys you need to make reading fun for your child. Try them and see what works for you and your child.

1. Make reading a habit. Give your child lots of opportunities to read. Bring a book with you wherever you go. They can read in the car, or waiting in the doctor's office. Make a ritual of reading at bedtime.

2. Play a rhyming game with a puppet. Have the puppet say, "My name is Mark. Can you find words that rhyme with Mark?" If the answer is yes, jump up and down, and if the answer is no, squat down low. "Does park rhyme with Mark? Does ball rhyme with Mark?"

3. Trace letters and say their sounds. Involving the senses of touch, sight, and speech is a powerful tool for learning letter sounds. Use a finger to trace a letter while saying the letter sound. Do this on a paper, in a sandbox, or on a plate filled with sugar.

4. Play sound matching games. Using a set of alphabet letters, have your child pick the letter that matches the sound you make. Start with five letters and add more letters when your child is ready.

5. Pick books that are the right difficulty level for your child. If the book is too difficult, your child will become frustrated and upset. The aim is to give your child many successful reading experiences. Have fiction and non-fiction books available.

6. Have your child watch your lips to see how you make certain sounds. You can ask, "Can you see my tongue touch my teeth when I say (th)? Does it tickle your tongue?"

7. Play sight word concentration games. Make two sets of common sight words, and have them hunt for pairs. If they can read the word, it goes in their pile.

8. Point out words all around the town such as traffic signs, grocery signs, or advertising signs.

9. Gently correct your young reader only when the meaning of the story is lost.
10. Say silly tongue twisters, songs and rhymes. This will help kids become sensitive to the different sounds found in words.

11. While you read aloud, use musical instruments to create suspense, happiness or sadness. This can bring a story to life and keep your child engaged. Your child can even make simple shakers with beans or rice inside a can, and join in the music making activity.

12. Create the atmosphere you find in the book. For example, use a poster board to build a rocket if the book is about outer space. When you read aloud, read with expression and proper phrasing.

13. Have the children act out what you read. If the character walks to the store, they should be able to walk in place as they reach a door and open it and grab some groceries. This should be fun and can help on those days it's raining out and their energy levels are high.

14. Use a prop bag to illustrate parts of the story. If you're reading, "Miss Spider's Tea Party," you might pull the following items out of the bag: rubber bugs, a tea cup, silk butterflies, or a handkerchief to wipe the spider's tears away.

15. Do a fun activity that relates to the book in some way. For instance, if the book is about a tall person, make your own stilts using metal cans. Punch two holes on either side of each can, near the bottom. Measure a piece of rope so it is the appropriate length for children. Thread one end of the rope into each hole and secure with a knot. To walk on stilts, children stand on the cans, holding the rope in their hands. (Verify that the edge of the can is not sharp, and add masking tape for extra protection.)

If you read a book about lions or the circus, you can have your child jump through a hoop like a lion at the circus. This activity may be done indoors or outdoors. Add words of encouragement such as, "Come, my beautiful lions!" Continue raising the hoop higher for a greater challenge. You can also alternate between a high and low hoop.

Reading must be fun! With activities like these you can inspire your child to practice every day. The more kids see and work with words, the more they are able to effortlessly decode them. Be patient and encourage them. This will give them the desire and confidence to continue to learn, and soon they will be hooked on reading.

Learn more about Kathy from her interview Meet Kathy Stemke.

Kathy's blog





VBT Writers on the Move begins a new feature to the VBT: Writers on the Move Mystery Site Give-away. Each month, the winner will have the choice of receiving the Mystery Site Host's book or a guest spot on VBT Writers on the Move web site. If you're an author and looking for visibility, this is a wonderful opportunity. But, it's going to be a tough choice; our members have great books to offer.

REMEMBER, you can't win if you don't play the game, so please stop by our members' sites during the tour and leave a comment.

The full rotation can be found on September VBT Schedule.


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Meet Kathy Stemke

I was delighted to interview Kathy Stemke for this tour of VBT - Writers on the Move. Let's get to know Kathy a bit better. Her replies will be in bold.

Kathy, tell us something about your educational background that has made you a better, or more caring, writer.

My background is in physical education and early childhood education. After 38 years of teaching I have found what works for children and what works for the teacher. That’s why I always offer movement activities, and worksheets with my picture books. It’s one stop shopping for teachers. I have found that when children move as they learn, they learn faster and retain more. My books are full of movement!

I also have a degree in Christian Ministry. My books are full of good values without being too obvious. I want to enrich the lives of children by igniting a love of reading, moving, and creating.

Authors are often asked when they started writing or what triggered their interest in writing. I’d like to know that, also, but I would especially like to know what keeps you writing.

Because I was born with a passion for the arts, I’ve always been involved in creating. Writing poetry has been a lifetime activity for me. I hiked and photographed the Appalachian Trail, then wrote poetry at the rest stop. I’ve also taught photojournalism courses where children coupled their creative writing with photographs.

When I published some education articles, I realized that I had something to offer others. I created my blog to offer parents and teachers help with curriculum. I offer a free monthly newsletter titled, Movement and Rhythm. When my readers thank me, and tell me I helped them with a big problem, I’m inspired to write more. Recently, I was honored to be included in the Best 100 Blogs for Home schooling Moms.

What inspired you to write your book?

My first book, Moving Through All Seven Days, was a natural outgrowth of a blog post. I actually expanded a simple rhyme of the days of the week to a longer rhyme that teaches the children how to spell each day. This 32-page e-book includes a song, worksheets, movement activities for each day, and even a coloring book. I’ve gotten great reviews from teachers. It’s available for purchase as an e-book on Lulu.

What are your writing achievements and goals? Any books in the works?

Several of my articles have been published. As a contributing editor for The National Writing for Children Center, I write a monthly teaching tip article.
Gradually, I’m putting together a book of dance poems. My poem, "An Empty Stage," finished in the top ten of The 2009 Predators and Editors Poll. My poem, "Dance," is published in The Abandoned Towers Magazine.

My book, Trouble on Earth Day, is being illustrated, and set to be published this year by Cyberwizard productions, Toy Box Books. This fun picture book entertains and teaches kids about recycling. I’d like to write a series of environmental books with the same characters. Wonderful Water Explorers, the second book in the series, will spark discussion about water conservation. Both of these books offer several pages of projects and worksheets.

How do you feel when you complete a book?

The joy for me comes when I get positive feedback from the children and the teachers. When kid’s eyes sparkle, or they laugh out loud, I feel satisfied and eager to write more.

How do any writing groups benefit you and your writing, Kathy?

My involvement with the Children’s Writers Coaching Club has been very rewarding. I’ve learned my craft from published authors like, Margot Finke, Simon Rose, and Suzanne Lieurance. It also serves as a valuable critique group.

The Writers on the Move Virtual Book Tour has introduced me to more talented and kind authors with smart marketing tips and wonderful words of encouragement. It is essential to have support in the cruel writing business.

What advice would you have for a new author?

My first suggestion would be to read everything you can get your hands on in your venue. I took out 60 picture books a week for several months before I wrote my first story. Reread the excellent books that jumped out at you, and find out what makes them special. Sometimes it’s an unusual character, or an unexpected twist.
Then write, write, and write everyday. You’ll start to develop your own writing style.

If you can afford to, I suggest that you take a children’s writing course on-line. This will save you time and heartache. Find a good critique group, which has at least some published writers.

Research the market and submit stories to magazines and book publishers. Be flexible and use criticism wisely. Lastly, never give up. You can only lose when you give up.

Thank you for sharing information about yourself and your writing with us, Kathy.

Tomorrow's and Thursday's special guest - Kathy Stemke

My VBT guest for September is Kathy Stemke. Please join us tomorrow for an interview with Kathy and Thursday for and article by Kathy.




VBT Writers on the Move begins a new feature to the VBT: Writers on the Move Mystery Site Give-away. Each month, the winner will have the choice of receiving the Mystery Site Host's book or a guest spot on VBT Writers on the Move web site. If you're an author and looking for visibility, this is a wonderful opportunity. But, it's going to be a tough choice; our members have great books to offer.

REMEMBER, you can't win if you don't play the game, so please stop by our members' sites during the tour and leave a comment.

The full schedule can be found here.

Hope you stop by tomorrow to learn more about Kathy Stemke.


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September VBT schedule

VBT Writers on the Move begins a new feature to the VBT: Writers on the Move Mystery Site Give-away. Each month, the winner will have the choice of receiving the Mystery Site Host's book or a guest spot on VBT Writers on the Move web site. If you're an author and looking for visibility, this is a wonderful opportunity. But, it's going to be a tough choice; our members have great books to offer.

REMEMBER, you can't win if you don't play the game, so please stop by our members' sites during the tour and leave a comment.

Dianne Sagan hosts Crystalee Calderwood
Harry Gilleland hosts Steve Tremp
Karen Cioffi hosts Vivian Zabel
Kathy Stemke hosts Heather Paye
Lea Schizas hosts Nancy Famalari
Nancy Famalari hosts Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Vivian Zabel hosts Kathy Stemke
Margaret Fieland hosts Dianne Sagan
Crystalee Calderwood hosts Deborah Weed
Katie Hines hosts Marvin Wilson
Helena Harper hosts Mayra Calvani
Dorothy Massey hosts Harry Gilleland
Liana Metal hosts Lea Schizas
Carolyn Howard-Johnson hosts Gayle Trent
Gayle Trent hosts Karen Cioffi
Mayra Calvani hosts Katie Hines
Marvin Wilson hosts Liana Metal
Anita Yasuda hosts Dorothy Massey
Linda Asato hosts Helena Harper
Heather Paye hosts Anita Yasuda
Steve Tremp hosts Margaret Fieland
Deboran Weed hosts Linda Asato

If you're interested in finding out more about our promotional group, you can send an email to: karenrcfv@yahoo.com.
Please put VBT-VBT in the subject line.

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Guardian by Katie Hines will soon arrive

As the second part of the VBT Writers on the Move blog tour for August, I want to introduce Katie Hines' book Guardian.

First, let's learn a bit more about the author through her biography:

Katie Hines has been writing snippets here and there as long as she can remember. When in 8th grade, she wrote a short story called, “Underworld.” Then, in high school, she wrote several poems that were published in an anthology.

Marriage and raising two children contributed to putting away writing for a few years, but she came back to it while in her 40s. Since that time, she has been a contributing feature writer and columnist for a local newspaper, has written several features articles for another area newspaper, and wrote religious and humor articles for an online Catholic ezine.

Her short story, “My Name is Bib,” was published by the Loch Raven Review in October, 2008.

Finished with Guardian, Hines is currently working on another middle grade urban fantasy novel, as well as a couple of chapter books, and is extending “My Name is Bib” into a full young adult novel.

*****

Now, we'll learn more about the book through the synopsis provided by Katie in her media kit.

Imagine you have made a secret promise that can lead you to the discovery of an incredible treasure and an ancient power. But in order to fulfill that promise, you must defeat an age-old sect that is determined to claim the treasure and power themselves.

Drew Newman is ready to tell his friends a secret, but two strangers burst on the scene, demanding an ancient, magical, book. He plummets into a world of uncertainty and fear as his home is invaded and he desperately tries to find the book.

Aided by the mysterious Jean-Paul, Drew’s search takes him and friends to Oak Island, Nova Scotia, where he continues his search. Joined with his Grandpa Ian and cousin, Zea, the tension ratches up when Drew is kidnapped and he encounters the head of a sect that wants the book, a magical talisman and a treasure, for themselves.

Sprinkled with magic, Guardian explores the commitment of a boy determined to fulfill his promise to his mother and claim an uncertain destiny.

*****

Guardian will be available for advance ordering in about a month through 4RV Publishing.


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Introducing Katie Hines

The VBT - Writers on the Move August rotation starts today, August 1. 4RV Publishing has several authors who take part: Linda Asato, Lea Schizas, Crystalee Calderwood, Katie Hines, and me, Vivian Zabel.

Today I get to combine hosting a VBT member and introducing one of the 4RV authors. I will be giving more information about her book August 3.



Several months ago, Katie Hines submitted a manuscript to 4RV Publishing, a fantasy. Now, I read some fantasies, but I’m not a fanatic fan of the genre. However, I like good writing. Guardian made a good first read, but I hadn’t made a final decision. I didn’t know how teens would react to the story, how much editing would be needed, none of the details involved in accepting a manuscript.

At the time the company was extremely busy, and manuscripts were piling up faster than any of the editors could thoroughly go through them and decide what we wanted to accept. One of my grandsons, an avid and very exacting reader, found Guardian and read it.

He brought it to me and informed me that we needed to accept the book. He said it needed some work, but it would be worth it.

Ahh, he’s not a babe, so I can’t use the quote “from the mouths of babes” exactly, but he knew what he was talking about.

One of our excellent illustrators prepared a cover. One of our best editors is working with Katie. When the final revisions are finished, Guardian will be one of the best books in the fantasy genre, all due to a talented author -- Katie Hines.

Monday I will discuss the book more and show the cover.


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Here's Crystalee

The VBT - Writers on the Move has a monthly Mystery Site Give-Away. Just leave a comment on the hosts' sites (schedule) during the tour, and you may be the lucky winner.

Also, July 10th is our Viewpoint/Hot Topic segment and Crystalee Calderwood will be hosting that segment at her site.


Crystalee is my VBT guest this week. Wednesday July 1, I introduced her book Angeline Jellybean. Today is Crystalee's turn. I interviewed Crystalee recently, and I'm repeating the interview here so others can share insights about this remarkable young author.

Vivian: Crystalee, I know you write other genres, but you seem to have an excellent grasp for children’s books. Where or how have you gained training in writing for children?

Crystalee: I never considered writing books for children until I was in grad school to get my MFA in Creative Writing. I was a poet at the time. I took a class called the Craft of Writing for Children and fell in love with the genre. A year later, I took a class in writing picture books. That class is actually where Angeline was born. I was “trained” in writing for children from a number of great, published and successful writers who were my mentors at school. I never would have been able to publish a book without my own initiative and doing my own research.

Vivian: Crystalee, we’ve known each other for a few years, yet when you submitted Angeline, you didn’t trade on that online friendship, never letting me know that Crystalee was the Crys I knew. But I immediately wanted Angeline Jellybean when I read it. What caused you to consider 4RV?

Crystalee: Well, first of all, thank you for immediately wanting it! That was a big compliment to me. I knew you worked hard on your books and also that you worked closely with your authors to make sure the finished product was as good as possible. I also figured that submitting to a small press would be the way to go in order to break into the publishing business. I wanted to submit my work on my own just to prove that I could do it. I didn’t want anyone to accuse you of showing favoritism or helping me get into the business, so I didn’t disclose my online identity to you at the time.

Vivian: Since Angeline Jellybean is a very short book, I won’t ask for a summary, but I would like to know how you would describe or characterize Angeline. All authors and illustrators know that characters do become real.

Crystalee: Angeline is really your average little girl. She knows what she wants, and she wants it NOW. She is strongly opinionated for her age. She is also, obviously, a very picky eater. She is pretty much the equivalent of me right now. Jellybeans are to her what chocolate is to me.

Vivian: Crystalee, can we expect any more children’s projects from you? Please, share what, if possible?

Crystalee: I have many picture books in the works, some of which aren’t finished. I also just completed my very first young adult novel, which is written in poetry. I hope to have a long life as a published author. I think my YA manuscript will be the next project sent out for submission.

Vivian: Finally, what else would you like readers to know about Crystalee Calderwood?

Crystalee: I never thought I’d be here at my age. Or at all, really. But I finally feel like I’ve found my passion in writing children’s books. I’m really a big kid deep down inside, so the joy that writing children’s books gives me is immeasurable.

Vivian: With Angeline as an example, you have a great talent for writing children's books. May you have many more.

Thank you so much for visiting with us today.

Learn more about Crystalee and Angeline by visiting the following sites:

Crystalee's Blog

Crystalee's Website

Contact her through

Crystalee's email address

Angeline Jellybean can be found through any bookstore, Amazon.com, and the 4RV Publishing online store.


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